Community Activities

Who supports this candidate?

Organizations (1)

Questions & Answers

Questions from The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and California Counts, a public media collaboration. (4)

Climate changes and the continuing drought worry many in California. What new strategies do you believe would ensure that California is able to both satisfy its water needs and protect the environment? Please be specific.

Answer from Marco Antonio “Tony” Leal:

Water is the key to prosperity.

As my #1 Priority, I want to immediately work to implement Kirk Sorensen's philosophy of Thorium Molten Salt Technology.

My vision is to produce enough water to make California lush and green. California can once again become an exporter of agriculture.

What are your top three fiscal priorities, recognizing the need to balance the state’s income with its spending?

Answer from Marco Antonio “Tony” Leal:

Fix CALPERS. We are paying people Top Dollar to stay home or take second or third jobs, making them the richest people in the world. It doesn't exist anywhere else. It shouldn't be paid for by California's poor either, nor the existing public employees.

We need to bring EDUCATION back to High Schools. College Bound rates aren't everything. College completion rates paint a better picture. Not everyone does well in college; so, we have to bring basic skills back to the classroom. Wood shop. Auto shop. Accounting. Driving Skills. Cooking. etc We can save a ton of money on colleges by bringing these basic skills back to the schools; plus, this will prepare students for the real job market.

Many of our public works projects are for unions only. This adds to the budgets and doesn't properly give taxpayers the best bang for their buck. This why our budget is shot and are roads are full of potholes.

There are a variety of proposals to raise California's minimum wage. Many of these proposals face opposition from business groups who are concerned that they would kill jobs. Do you support increasing the minimum wage in California? In your answer please explain your position on the relationship between wages and jobs with specific reference to the situation in your district.

Answer from Marco Antonio “Tony” Leal:

Why do unions clamor for minimum wage hikes and then demand exclusions? That should tell you EVERYTHING about minimum wages, from a layman's point of view.

I'm not in favor of minimum wages; but, I'm not in favor of inflation either. People say they don't mind inflation, as long as wages keep up with inflation; but, when the rubber meets the road, wages don't keep up with inflation.

Raise the minimum wage. It's not going to solve anything. It's like changing spark plugs on a cracked cylinder block. It doesn't get to the root problem.

If you want to solve the minimum wage problem, you must solve the inflation problem. If we quit engineering money, people wouldn't be concerned with minimum wage. Russia proved that.

Money in Politics

Many Californians are concerned about the influence of money in politics. What can the state legislature do to ensure that decision-making by elected officials is not swayed by moneyed interests at the expense of constituents?

No answer provided.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

More information about contributions

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the California Secretary of State.

Experience

Biography

Baron has always been serving others before his own interests. His twin brother, Brock, was born mentally retarded. He endured the loss of all 658 of his co-workers at Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. on 9/11. Baron graduated from the University of Arizona on a full academic scholarship (for grades and philanthropic commitments) from the University of Arizona.

Baron also earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, where he has been asked to serve on several Boards, serving the interests of future international students and alumni around the world.

His vast professional career has included being a bond trader, institutional equity sales-trader, environmental consultant, training & development coach, commercial and residential real estate agent and acquisitions director. His commitment to the communities he serves and philanthropic fundraising have included: Cystic Fibrosis, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Boys & Girls Clubs, Scottsdale Active 20/30 Club (where he served as Events Chairman for two consecutive terms).

Baron holds the highest standards of personal and professional ethics, works tenaciously as a creative and collaborative partner. His passion and love for people have brought him here to serve you and your interests as Assemblyman for the 62nd Congressional District of the State of California.

Who supports this candidate?

Featured Endorsements

Questions & Answers

Questions from The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and California Counts, a public media collaboration. (4)

Climate changes and the continuing drought worry many in California. What new strategies do you believe would ensure that California is able to both satisfy its water needs and protect the environment? Please be specific.

Answer from Baron Bruno:

Whether you believe in climate change or not, I think it's obvious to say that we've done some irreputable damage to our lands and oceans. Pollution, trash, and neglect have taken their toll, and unless we curb our behavior, things could get even worse.

Water is a luxury, and we need to start treating it that way. It is NOT an endless resource we can waste, especially in this state, where droughts have a ripple effect on our health, safety and economy.

We need to continue to incentive businesses and large agricultural users of water to maximize their efficient use and avoid wasteful systems. Modern farming methods that decrease water usage without compromising the safety of our food source and livestock industries need to be encouraged, and farmers should be educated on the ramifications of misuse and the benefits of more conscientious usage.

Simple economics of supply and demand, along with education efforts (in schools and the work place) can help ease the strains of this precious resource.

What are your top three fiscal priorities, recognizing the need to balance the state’s income with its spending?

Answer from Baron Bruno:

1. Line item ACCOUNTABILITY of government contracts in my district. Where is the money going? Who's getting it? WHY? How can some of these contracts be privatized to support local businesses? No more waste, fraud and abuse. Game over! We are going to give those with govt contracts a 60 day "amnesty period" to clean up their books and their act. If, after the 60 days, there is evidence of waste, fraud & abuse, then things are going to get very public and shameful. Letting citizens know who's taking their money and NOT performing up to their promises, will be damaging enough to those who want to take advantage of our taxpayers.

2. EDUCATION: LAUSD and our education system is in shambles, and unless we fix this from the ground up, not much else happens. Each and every election cycle there is a call for reform in education, but nothing gets done. I want to explore public-private partnerships and collaborative efforts where local, state and national businesses can benefit by supporting our students - of all ages. We shouldn't expect everyone to get "straight As", so we need to change the way we THINK about educattion. Let's start empowering young and old in the programs that fit THEIR needs, and NOT what the state or federal governments mandate. We all don't learn the same way or excel in the same environment. We need to also do a much better part in supporting and re-training our veterans when they return home.

3. EFFICIENCY: In all government programs that need to remain. Those that are not essential should be closed down or outsourced to private enterprise. A third party candidate like me, can and WILL be a unifier, to help stop the roadblocks, finger-pointing and stonewalling that has made our political system abysmal in its ability to GET THINGS DONE. Bridging the gap and helping prioritize spending WHILE simultaneously CUTTING programs, refinancing debt, and making sure politicians don't compromise the health & saftey of our people.

There are a variety of proposals to raise California's minimum wage. Many of these proposals face opposition from business groups who are concerned that they would kill jobs. Do you support increasing the minimum wage in California? In your answer please explain your position on the relationship between wages and jobs with specific reference to the situation in your district.

Answer from Baron Bruno:

The government shouldn't get involved in the wage game. If businesses want to raise their wages, they should be allowed to do so. If some businesses don't want to pay fair wages and/or benefits, then workers will choose to work elsewhere. It's that simple. If a business violates any of our basic freedoms, discriminates or harasses their employees, then they should be subject to prosecution.

This is a VERY expensive state to live and work. Business owners, who believe in taking care of their employees just as much (if not more) than their customers, will understand this. Those owners who mistreat (financially or otherwise) their employees will feel the wrath online and in person, with no employees willing to support their bad habits.

Government shouldn't pick winners and losers. We've already seen what this can do to our economy, and it's always "the little guy" who gets crushed. Let's not give big companies an excuse to lay off more workers and cut benefits.

Many Californians are concerned about the influence of money in politics. What can the state legislature do to ensure that decision-making by elected officials is not swayed by moneyed interests at the expense of constituents?

Answer from Baron Bruno:

Campaign finance reform! Yes, it's expensive to run for office, run a business, ....geez, even getting by day-to-day....but we can't keep allowing big businesses and lobbyists govern with their checkbooks. Politicians are supposed to work FOR the people. I am committed to making that happen once again.

There should be full transparency of donors. Lobbyists and special interests have destroyed the fabric of our country and have caused the approval ratings of our two party politicians to be close to zero. Penalties for violating the trust of the voters and constituents should be significant.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

Total money raised: $35,220

Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:

1

Employees of BRUNO, BARON

$21,556

2

Employees of Force Multiplier Solutions

$4,200

3

Employees of Sutter Hill Ventures

$2,600

4

Employees of Keller Williams Realty

$2,570

5

Employees of A Codman a Johnson & Johnson Company

$500

5

Employees of Sweet Music

$500

More information about contributions

By State:

California 81.44%

Texas 11.95%

New York 2.13%

Arizona 2.09%

Other 2.39%

81.44%11.95%

By Size:

Large contributions (99.80%)

Small contributions (0.20%)

99.80%

By Type:

From organizations (0.00%)

From individuals (100.00%)

100.00%

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the California Secretary of State.

Political Beliefs

Political Philosophy

The people have spoken and have decided enough is enough! The days of our two-party "rigged" and "corrupt" political duopoly are coming to an end. We no longer have to live in fear and fail to have our voices heard by those who are supposed to represent the people.

Big government isn't the answer. We are incredibly diverse, talented and educated people who will CHOOSE to support each other without being forced to do things we don't want to - or don't believe in.

This is about CHOICE, RESPECT, ACCOUNTABILITY, EMPATHY, & LOVE. I am your Warrior of Positivity, and stand ready to be the catalyst who will finally break the code of disillussionment in our current political system.

Let's make history together, and show the rest of our state and nation, what happens when we all work together, set aside our differences, and start accomplishing our goals. NOW is the time! Put me to work...Hire me and I will get the job done!